4 March 2021

Newsletter Articles

IMPORTANT DATES

Term 1

Cross Country Training - Thursdays & Fridays 7:45am - 8:00am (not on 5th March due to Mass)
HPE Week - 1st - 5th March - Students taking part in activities at lunch time if they choose
Thursday 4th March - Open classroom - 8.20am - 8.45am
Thursday 4th March - Free Dress Day (Tombola Items)
Thursday 4th March - Year 6 Leadership Retreat Day
Friday 5th March - Beginning of Year Mass (Good Shepherd Catholic Church) - 8:20am
Friday 5th March - St Kieran's Feast Day
Thursday 11th March - School Photos
Friday 12th March – Term One School Fees Due
Friday 12th March – Book Club Issue 2 Orders Due
Friday 12th March - Free Dress Day (Gold Coin Donation)
Monday 15th - Wednesday 17th March - Swimming Lessons
Thursday 18th March - Free Dress Day (Basket Items)
Friday 19th March – Cross Country – 8:30am – 11:00am
Monday 22nd - Wednesday 24th March - Swimming Lessons
Thursday 25th March - Lunch with family - 10.30am-11.15am
Thursday 25th March – Swimming Carnival – 4pm
Friday 26th March - Free Dress Day (Chocolates)
Thursday 1st April - Last day of term one

PRAYER / SPECIAL MESSAGE

The Francis Factor (Reflecting on the Words & Wisdom of Pope Francis)

Be Committed

And then I would like to speak especially to you young people: be committed to your daily duties, your studies, your work, to relationships of friendship, to helping others; your future also depends on how you live these precious years of your life. Do not be afraid of commitment, of sacrifice, and do not view the future with fear. Keep your hope alive: there is always a light on the horizon.

(Pope Francis, General Audience, 1 May 2013)

Reflection

What commitments are you afraid of?

What step can you take today toward taking responsibility?

PRINCIPALS REPORT

Dear Parents, carers and grandparents,

The last few weeks have been very busy with teachers trying to establish routines within the classrooms, following our behaviour management strategies, setting high expectations and the most important having a relationship with every student in their class. At least a few times a week I try and get around to visit all of the classrooms to say hi and check out what they are learning. I really enjoy seeing the kids and to be honest, I do miss having my own class at times.

This Friday I am going to be extremely proud to be part of the Opening Mass and Leadership Induction Ceremony. I may even shed a tear as it is my youngest son's proud moment of being a sports captain. I am sure many proud parents as well will be joining in for the occasion. My expectations for leadership are quite simple. Be a model for others in the school. Young students look up to the older children not only for being a buddy, but on how we act, play and treat each other. This expectation is non-negotiable. Leadership comes with responsibility. I know these young women and men will do us proud and represent the school in a way that reflects our values and ideals. I look forward to being part of their journey this year.

As parents, we need to instil in our children the values and ideals that make our family special. We want our children to grow up and be responsible citizens who have integrity and purpose in life. Jesus provides this purpose. Remember, children need models, not critics.

I am also excited to announce that we will be having our annual Mother’s Day Fete. The new committee have been organising new ideas and activities for the kids to do. This year though is also going to be tricky due to the new norm for covid. We are going to need as much help as possible on the day of set up and also on the night. I am asking for every parent to please put their hand up for an hour or ½ an hour of your time on the night of the 7th May. Our school Fete is not possible at all without our parents' help. Next week I will be sending out a document in regards to stalls, so please place your name next to one of these. Later on the left over stalls will be going to set classes.

In your prayers this week please have a prayer for the schools in Ingham and below who have been flooded out and having lots of rain in their areas.

God Bless and take care
laudine Dank

RELIGIOUS LIFE OF OUR SCHOOL

Whole School Mass Friday 5th March - St Kieran’s Feast Day

All students are to be dropped at the Good Shepherd Catholic Church between 8.10am - 8.20am on Friday the 5th of March. Students will return via bus to school after the mass. If you plan on transporting your own child please let the class teacher know before the day.

In 2021 as a nation we focus on “Faith in the future” as we celebrate 200 years of Catholic Education in Australia. The theme reflects the core purpose of Catholic education to form students in their faith, and to provide an education that enables our graduates to make a meaningful contribution to the world.

The theme reflects our commitment to build on the great work of those who have come before us and to provide a Catholic education for future generations of students in a world that is rapidly changing and poses new challenges for Catholic school communities. Yet, we have faith that we can face these challenges and continue to build on, and strengthen, our mission of Catholic education.

Inspired by this and to play our part in our school community, we take on the theme of “Service.” This also honors St Joseph as the Pope has called for us to do this year. Joseph had “faith in the future”. The future plans of God. As Christians, we are called to servanthood, called to look to the needs of others first, called to be the hands and feet of Christ in the world. Just as all of those involved in Catholic Education of the past were examples of justice, compassion and love, so we can be modern people of service ready to reach out to others with kindness and tenderness for future generations

Year 6 Leadership Retreat Day Thursday 4th of March

On Thursday the 4th of March, Year 6 students will participate in a Leadership Retreat Day. Students will be involved in a range of fun activities to help them understand what being a leader means at St Kieran’s and how they can all contribute to this in 2021.

All students are required to be dropped off at the Good Shepherd Catholic Church between 8.10am - 8.20am on Thursday the 4th of March. They will travel via bus to Good Shepherd Catholic College where we will have lunch and make use of the facilities. Students will need to be collected at 2.40pm via Gate 2 on Camooweal Street.

Students are required to bring along their own water bottle and school hat. A fruit snack, morning tea and lunch will be provided. Students are able to wear free dress (sun safe and sneakers/socks).

Enhancing Catholic School Identity Project

As part of the school verification we are in the need for parents to fill out the Catholic Identity Survey. This survey will take at least half an hour of your time.

Date of commencement: 8 February 2021
Date of Completion: 1 April 2021

All surveys must be completed by April or sooner.

School: St Kieran’s Catholic School, Mount Isa

Password: Ghj654
Survey Access Code: u73614

Thank you very much for making time to participate in the Enhancing Catholic School Identity project. The purpose of this survey research is to gain meaningful insights into how your son or daughter’s school views its Catholic identity today and how such identity might be shaped for tomorrow.

Everyone’s input is important.

Your participation should take about 55 minutes. It’s best to finish the survey in one shot, without having to come back later.

Your responses are anonymous and your personal data is treated confidentially in accordance with ethical and legal guidelines.

Only you will be able to view your individual results and this can be done once you’ve completed the questionnaires.

PARISH INFORMATION

Casual Staff for MMCNQ Centres

We are currently recruiting for casual staff to work in either our early learning centre, Kindergarten or out of school hours care services. Be supported by experienced early childhood teachers and educators, gain practical work experience and work in a fun and active work environment.

Interested in finding out more about our casual work opportunities in Mt Isa?

Contact our Area Coordinator, Nadia Russo on 0429 918 722

DIOCESAN BASED INFORMATION

Project Compassion Virtual Immersions

Each week during this Lenten season, Caritas Australia is holding Virtual Immersion opportunities for parishes via Zoom video conferencing. These digital engagements will allow participants to focus on prayer and reflection, Catholic Social Teaching and an interview and Q&A with Caritas International Program staff.

Sessions will run Tuesdays and Thursdays for one hour across Australia. You can register for a Virtual Immersion by going to lent.caritas.org.au.

HPE

In HPE, we are continuing our units on the fundamental movement skills, Indigenous and cultural games and hockey. We are asking any parents or carers that have any cultural games they played when they were younger to please contact Mrs Lloyd - we love learning about different cultures and the students are enthusiastic about the different sports played in other countries and cultures. If you even have any ceremonies that normally happen before or after sporting events, we would love to learn about them too. Please contact Mrs Lloyd - clloyd@skmtsv.catholic.edu.au if you would like to help.

Cross Country Carnival - Our cross country has changed a bit this year including a track change for most students (Prep and Year 1 remains the same). The course maps will be on display around the school next week.

We also have a dress-up theme - "Superheroes'' - so that should be heaps of fun! We would love to see heaps of kids in theme or in their house colours.

In addition, we have added a “Fun Run” option for the older students if they choose if they want to participate but don’t want to run very far - we realise long-distance running isn’t for everyone!

The two options for the day for the older students are:

1. Students can compete in the "Cross Country" event (they really should be training at home or at school in the morning if they want to do this). The age champion will be the winner of this event (for their age group). AND/OR
2. They can do a "Fun Run" (only available for Years 2-6) - this is a non-competitive race and will be held in year levels - kids will still go off the school grounds but there won't be any 1st, 2nd or 3rd place ribbons. They WILL however get points for participation to go to their house for the overall house championship trophy.

Swimming Carnival: This will be held on Thursday 25th March from 4pm - 7pm. More details will be provided in the coming weeks.

The Year 6 leaders have been busily preparing our war cries for our sporting events and they are doing an amazing job!

John Doyle from 3 Sons Fitness, is visiting our school every Monday and Tuesday morning to do some training and drills with the students. If you would like your child to be involved in this please make sure they are at school at 8am.

YOU CAN DO IT

We are starting to look at Confidence in Prep, as one of the keys to children’s success and wellbeing. We have met our puppet friend “Connie Confidence.” The other classes will be covering this topic in the coming weeks (although the puppet doesn’t get to come visit the older grades!).

Confidence requires that young people not be overly concerned with what others think if they make a mistake. Confidence is revealed when young people are not afraid to fail and are happy to meet someone new. Confidence involves young people having trust in themselves and believing that they will probably be successful in the end. Confident young people stand up straight, look people in the eye, and speak clearly and with a firm tone of voice.

Teaching Confidence

Step 1. Have Conversations with Your Child about What it Means to be Confident

1. While your child is preparing to participate in an activity that is new or difficult, say: “Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Don’t worry too much about what people are thinking about you when you have a go. Be positive. That will help you to be confident.”
2. When your child is returning to school after a holiday, say: “It is good to try to be very confident in your work and with friends. Remember, confidence means believing in yourself and not being afraid to try something new.”
3. When your child is getting ready to meet someone new or preparing to present something in class, say: “Don’t forget to stand up straight, look people in the eye and use a clear voice so people can clearly understand what you are saying. That will show you are being confident.”
4. Say: “Behaving confidently will help you to do well in school and make friends.”

Step 2. Describe Examples of Confident Behaviours to Practice

1. Select two or three examples of confident behaviour that you want your child to practice to help him/her to become more confident:
2. To develop Work Confidence, say: “It is good to put your hand up when your teacher asks a question and you think you know the answer.” “It’s good to try hard work first without asking your teacher for help.” “It is also good to ask your teacher for help when you are having difficulty.” “It is good to try different things that are hard to do like playing a musical instrument or trying out for a team.”
3. To develop Social Confidence, say: “It is good to talk to someone new.” “It is good to share your ideas with your family, friends or in class.” “It is good to speak with a clear voice so people can easily understand what you are saying.” “It is good to greet adults with good eye contact and use their name.” “It is good to start a conversation.”

Other Things you can do to Teach Children Confidence

• Give children a special responsibility (e.g. special role or job).
• Have children work with or tutor younger students.
• Ask children questions you know they can answer. Prompt children before asking each question, so they are prepared and can experience success.
• Set aside time each day for children to demonstrate what they have learned at school.
• Provide children with opportunities for leadership (e.g. tutoring younger students, classroom jobs or roles, organising a family picnic).
• Help children set short-term and long-term goals. Help them develop a concrete plan for achieving goals.
• Help children identify and develop individual interests and talents by showing interest in and excitement about non curricular areas of their skills and talents.
• Explain to the class/family members that they may only comment on positive things a child does; negative comments must be written down and put in a box. Allow time for the class/family members to acknowledge positive things that the child has done.
• Do not give children too much attention when they express negative feelings about work.
• Teach children not to judge or evaluate their work until after a certain period of time.
• Teach children not to blow negative events out of proportion. Help them construct three mental categories of ‘badness’:
  - a little bad (sniffles, broken pencil)
  - moderately bad (bad report card, fight)
  - extremely bad (car accident, house burns down).
• Then, when a child makes a mistake or is teased, have him or her mentally put the event into a category, such as ‘moderately bad’ but not ‘extremely bad’.
• Do not prevent children from taking part in extracurricular activities as a penalty for poor performance in school. Participation in these interesting and fun activities may help build their confidence.

ECO WARRIORS

It is on again, if you are shopping at Woolworths and are offered these please collect these and donate them to school. Our garden club will love it.

ESMART (CYBER SAFETY)

TUCKSHOP

All tuckshop orders are to be made online through Flexischools by 9.00am on the day required.

2020 Families - Please remember to change your child's classroom to their 2021 class prior to your first order this year.

In the app go to the profile tab - students - select student - click on the pencil and update the year level first and then class and press save.

Thursday Meal Deals -Term 1

Did you know the tuckshop could make cupcakes for your child’s birthday? $1.00 each, please enquire at the office for an order form.

MOTHER’S DAY FETE

Free Dress Dates:

Thursday 4th March - Tombola Items
Friday 12th March - Gold Coin Donation
Thursday 18th March - Basket Items
Friday 26th March - Chocolates (Party size packs)
Friday 23rd April - Trash and Treasure Stall Items
Friday 30th April – Plants
Friday 7th April - Fill a plate for cake and bake store
Friday 14th May - Free Dress - After School Fete.

Please ensure that students wear sun safe clothing (sleeved shirts) and correct footwear as students have PE lessons on these days.

We are also going to need as many volunteers as possible. If you are unable to come to a meeting and would like to help, please let the school know.

FETE SPONSORS

We give many thanks to the following businesses for their generous donations towards our Mother’s Day Fete.

COMMUNITY NOTICES

4 WEEK CHALLENGE @ 3SF

Join Three Sons Fitness for a 4 week Get Fit Challenge starting 29th March

Class times:

Monday - 5.30am 6.30am, 5.30pm.6.30pm
Tuesday - 5.30am 6.30am, 5.30pm.6.30pm
Wednesday Rest Day
Thursday - 5.30am 6.30am, 5.30pm.6.30pm
Friday - 5.30am 6.30am, 5.30pm.6.30pm